Donation helps highlight opening weekend of Miracle League

The Miracle League of Amherstburg celebrated the opening day of its spring season Saturday with an extra boost from a local elementary school.

Anderdon Public School donated $800 during a break in the day’s four games at the Miracle Diamond at the UCCU Complex. Grade 8 student Emma Carosella made the presentation and stated the idea originated after she attended a social justice forum.

Students were asked to do a fundraiser, said Carosella, with Anderdon Public School electing to raise money for the Miracle League of Amherstburg.

The Miracle League will also be receiving a large donation from University of Windsor science students, public relations chair Michele Vigneux. She said a donation of over $5,000 is expected.

“It’s great to see (Miracle League) extend into the community,” said board chair Chuck Bondy.

Vigneux said the spring season features nine teams once again with 140 players registered. One team will have a bye each week. She said word-of-mouth advertising has really worked and has brought players to the Miracle League of Amherstburg.

“The community is amazing,” stated Vigneux. “We can’t thank the community partners who are supporting us enough.”

Volunteers are always welcome as the Miracle League of Amherstburg requires approximately 200 volunteers a day “to make it flow nicely,” Vigneux added.

Businesses are also welcome to make a day of it at the Miracle Diamond as groups of co-workers can come out and spend the day working with the baseball players and the other volunteers to help the operation run smoothly.

“We’re really encouraging that,” she said.

The Miracle League of Amherstburg’s website, located at www.amherstburgmiracle.com, has recently been re-designed and volunteers can sign up through that website. Vigneux plugged the August 17 golf tournament and said those wishing to sign up can also go through the website.

“It’s getting more and more popular every year,” Vigneux said of the golf tournament.

The players also were enthusiastic about Saturday’s opening.

“I think it’s great,” commented Sammy Uprichard.

Uprichard is a returning player and said he has a lot of fun participating in Miracle League every week.

“I like my coach because he was on the team last year when I started,” said Uprichard.

The Miracle League of Amherstburg’s spring season is scheduled to run every Saturday at their diamond at the UCCU Complex through June 22.